KJ_Palmer

lufs - I can't hear the motor noise at all with my HD25-1. They're closed headphones and pretty much shut out all outside noise. Really, I wouldn't worry about it, it's only noticeable when you first load a disc. Once you settle down you won't be aware. I usually have mine cased up - for protection, not for the noise - if you do so and use the remote, I'm sure you won't hear a thing (motor noise), even with open headphones...

I'm of the school that says, if it sounds all right it is all right (more or less). If that makes me a Simpleton (I'm sure it does), than I'll proudly wear my dunce hat... I've been to many concerts (primarily chamber or small orchestral classical music) where the sound reaching my wears has been less than perfect. Such is the nature of things - hall accoustics, the person next to me coughing into my ear, the odd bum note. I wouldn't want all that reproduced 'perfectly'. It's impossible anyway, and endlessly tweaking would distract from the musical enjoyment, which for me is what it's all about. It just annoys me that an audiophiler would criticise me for not caring about sound quality - I do, but not in the same way perhaps...

Liz, check the input jack on the mic. If it's a mono mic it will have only 2 metal sections. If it's stereo it will have three - like a stereo headphone jack. So, if it's a mono mic, set your N1 to record in mono - it will record equally to both channels. If it's a stereo mic, either make sure you push the plug right in before recording, or make sure all your contacts are clean (clean them if necessary)... For the one-sided recordings you've already made, you should be able to get a mono to stereo mixer cable or adapter from radioshack or similar... Hope that's of help...

Sorry, but please don't double post in future, lufs I have locked this thread. The one in the Hi-MD forum is still open.

I just tried to find a hiss on my NH900. With MX550 earbuds, I started at 10-15/30 (normal listening level) - no hiss when paused/stopped or in quiet places. I turned the volume right up to 30/30 - still no hiss. I plugged in my HD25-1 headphones (very sensitive) still no hiss at 30/30 and lower. My conclusion - no hiss on my NH900 (that I can detect). Motor noise, as Latexxx says is there, I don't find it loud or frequent enough to be annoying though...

Well, most recent Sony MD units for sale in Europe have had their output levels physically restricted to around 3mW per channel @16 Ohms (the standard for Sonys has been 5mW per channel for some time). This has been to comply with an EU regulation to protect the poor consumer's hearing - hence EU crippled. The Euro N10 was limited to 2.5mW/channel, I believe. Units sold outside the EU are exempt from such crippling - although many complain that even 5mW per channel is low. My E10 was also not Euro crippled (according to the manual) - but maybe I was lucky - so check the output spec in the back of your manual...

I had an E10 and it sounded pretty decent to me. The sound did need to be tweaked somewhat with the equaliser, but having done so it sounded fine. The only thing I didn't like about it was the non replaceable (or not easily replaceable) Li-Ion battery - and it could have done with a line out mode for amping. The battery should last you several years in any case. For portable playback it should be fine (IMO), and it's not Euro-crippled (unlike the N10)...

Hmmm, how about the Sharp IM-DR420 (or 410) if you don't need a mic input. Digital amp, clear and fairly powerful sound (for today's minidiscs). I'd also recommend the Sony MZ-NH700 - you get the benefits of Hi-MD (PC storage, longer recording times etc.), but also full compatibility with older MD units. As you seem to be in the UK, why not pop down to your local Dixons/Curries or Richer sounds. Most modern recorders would be good for you...

It depends on your budget and whether or not you need extra features (like a radio). It might also relate to your brand preference, if you have one (ie. Sony or Sharp etc.), and if you're interested in the latest Hi-Tech features of the new Hi-MD units, or happy with the standard MD features... Our sponsors have many exciting MD portables for sale, perhaps if you have a look, see what you like and specify your budget we can take this further. Sorry, but there is a bewildering choice out there.... This is a good place to start: http://store.yahoo.com/minidisco-store/portables.html

I bought one of these microphone holders (the top one), from Maplin in the UK. It fits pretty well my ECM-MS907, as well as other largish mics, actually, and is spring loaded, and has a standard thread. I imagine you can get something similar where you are. If not, maybe you could put a little rubber or foam sheet around the mic to hold it in place.

I suppose you could just cut the ends off a 'spare' optical cable or use a TOSlink to digital minijack adapter, available in some electronics stores. A bit wasteful, and I don't generally bother, though my portables are cased up when not in use...

We've had the 'on the fly' facility for some time, actually, since about the R909 or N707 generation of old MD recorders (ie. about 2-3 years). Still, as you say, it's perhaps not widely known or used - the Sharp system of keeping the recording level (if desired) is still much easier. If I'm using a Sony to record, I usually use auto gain as I can't often be bothered to fiddle around (to my shame)...

Quite a bit, I'd say, at least in principle. The Sharp upload will have to be an analogue recording of compressed data. The Sony upload will be digital and (potentially) uncompressed. I'm also not too keen on the Sharp's 'Line' output via it's Auvi amp - the output voltage has been halved compared to earlier Sharp MD units and there's a 4-3 pole conversion stage. Of course you could copy digitally if you had a suitable deck...

Maybe a solar cell battery recharger would be of use? I bought one of these in an electronics shop ('just in case' ) and it came with appropriate adapters for DC in. You can set it to various voltages up to 12V DC. I haven't actually used it in 'in anger' (yet), but it does seem to work even here in soggy UK... But yes, you can use the Sharps with an empty rechargeable in place. It won't work without the rechargeable battery in, though, unlike Sonys...

Looks like the NH600 loses out in most departments... However, both the NH700 and NH800 can recharge AA sized NiMH's - at least the 700mAh batteries that come with it. I guess it would be safe to recharge higher capacity rechargeables, though I'm not sure. I recharge 1400mAh gumsticks in my NH900 with no apparent problem, even though it's desginated for 1000mAh gumsticks...

In terms of layout, I'd move "Announcements and News" down a bit, or at least reduce it's screen size. It takes up about 1/3 of my screen and doesn't seem the most popular section. Maybe move the General MD and/or Knowledge Centre stuff to the top, seems like a good place to start... Maybe have a general non-MD/Electronics section to keep the HDD fans happy... An Introducing the Moderators/Staff with pictures/biography board... Well maybe not... But, as Zombie says, minor things possibly best left alone.

You can record directly (optically) to a Hi-MD recorder in LP2 mode if you like, as well as the other older formats (SP and LP4 and mono (?)). You can also record directly to the newer Hi-MD formats (Hi-LP/SP and PCM :smile:. If you need any other info, you can try this Hi-MD FAQ, or try a search in the Hi-MD forum here. Or just ask, if you have specific questions...

Did you hack your N707 to give it a 'line out' mode - without the hack you wouldn't have it. If you plugged your remote in with 'Line Out' mode still on, the N707 should just revert to 'HeadPhone' mode. In any case I doubt that in itself would cause any damage to the remote. Try cleaning the contacts with a cotton swab, or perhaps your remote has just died - they're not the sturdiest things, and can be replaced.

I'm just titling Hi-MD tracks with it (or MD Simpleburner 2) now, and rely on real time/decks for all my recording duties. I've never had any joy with any audio software, so I just steer clear of all of it now. Not sure if SonicStage is particularly bad as far as software goes, but it certainly is bad (in my experience)...

dex, I made a 1 minute recording in Kensington Gardens, as you suggested. PCM format, sounds pretty good if I may say so. Unfortunately it's stuck on MD at the moment, and my 'uploading' attempts have failed (I'm a bit computer illiterate). If you'd still like it, I'll send you a copy, probably have to be analogue unless I can get the uploading to work...

* Coaxial / optical digital inputs/outputs (& line in/out) Also (to match my current std MD setup): A truly high end MD only deck (a la MDS-JA555ES/JA333ES, or at least QS level, like JB940) A MD-MD deck (a la MDS-W1) for duplication/defragmentation... Oh well, we can all dream...

Well, there's not that much of a price difference between the DR420 and, say the NH900, and you're restricted to compression with the 420. And you can't do any more with NetMD on the Mac than with Hi-MD. Anyway, 'tis your shout (and your money)...

The DR420 is pretty plasticky, but actually feels quite robust, maybe more durable than the Sony cheap-enders, which seem quite brittle. I've never dropped either to put them to the test, mind, or had any problems with either. At this point, however, I wouldn't say the Sharp net MD's have any particular advantage over the Sony Hi-MD's. If you're sticking with MD, I'd say go with the new format...

I have the IM-DR420. A nice recorder, though I'm a bit suspicious about the 1 bit amp colouring the output a bit much, and the 4 pole connector being weird. Overall I prefer Sony's conventionality..

Oh well, sorry, that's all there is :rasp: Then again, I've not heard it, but maybe the MZ-1's optical out might be of useful quality for 'uploading', etc. as long as the recordings are made on a machine with, say ATRAC 4.0 or higher. The recording quality of course would be woeful, but maybe the decoding might be up to it. Interesting to find out, if anyone owns this beauty. Well sort of... OK stop waffling...